I conceived this concept after my first draft of what was eventually to become the Memoir ’44 Campaign Book Volume 1. I wanted something that had a campaign feel but light and quick (ok, four scenarios isn’t really ‘quick’ but the rules for it are). I then looked at putting together a group of already published and official scenarios (so that anyone with the base game could play) and tried to balance the idea while still offering some choices.

Sadly, this concept got buried after approval of the campaign system as we all know it came into being…that soon consumed a lot of my time (in retrospect, too much!).

On the plus side, here it is now, eleven years late but better late than never. Hope you enjoy!

While I may be more Tide of Iron oriented lately, it doesn’t mean I’m going to neglect the M’44 community. I still have that Hong Kong campaign to complete along with a couple of others as yet unpublished (or even mentioned). Today I have on offer, The Encirclement of Nancy, A Memoir ’44 Overlord scenario (requires the Terrain Pack) that sees the German forces in the city of Nancy being encircled by U.S. forces.

Otherwise, The Canadians in Normandy Campaign for Tide of Iron is rolling along. There are a couple of scenarios already published here (the opening scenario, Assault on Putot-en-Bessin and Worthington Force) with an additional six to make for a robust campaign for both the Allies and Axis sides. All wrapped in a high end graphic treatment and some goodies thrown in 😉

While doing some general site maintenance (yes, I still pay attention from time to time), I came across an old concept that I put together a decade ago now (where does the time go?). Anyway, thought it would be of interest to the Memoir ’44 community at large.

It’s an Advanced Memoir ’44 concept that brings into play some house rules for enhancing the base game along with some advanced unit cards with some fun rules of their own.

Sam1812, an electronic friend from Memoir ’44 happened to be in my vicinity a couple of days ago so we met up. It was great to finally meet Sam face to face (and his lovely wife). I was a poor tour guide and they were gracious guests. We did manage to get in a couple of games of M’44 in. Sam took meticulous short hand notes of every turn in the battle (which I assume he’ll add in the AARs). All in all, a fun time!

So…in playing, it sparked my interest again. Despite my past experience, I decided to give Online another whirl. Having no credits, I played Juno. With no takers, I decided to play solo. Loving a challenge, I played as the Axis and lost. Undaunted, I tried again and lost again. Hmm…played again and surprised, lost again. In fact, over the last two days, I’ve played 7 times as the axis and lost every time. I’m no slouch in the game and Johnny is no brilliant tactician to say the least. I never managed to quite finish off units and Johnny always got the needed hits. There can be no doubt in my mind now that Johnny is a cheat!

I was about to leave the game when I noticed an open multiplayer game of Juno and decided, against my better judgement, to play. I didn’t even get to finish my first turn and the game froze. So I sat patiently only to be rewarded by being informed my internet connection was down (it wasn’t) and on top of it, couldn’t quit out of the game, I had to force quit to get out!

Moral of the story…Face to Face or Vassal. Online is now officially done in my books.

Inspired by the game’s creator, Richard Borg, The Battle Commander Campaign system is a simple but flexible method of playing a string of variable scenarios with the base Memoir ’44 board game.

Players choose a side (Allies or Axis) and create a random scenario based on a prevailing terrain type. Players then secretly decide what specific forces they will deploy from their sides unit manifest.

With the 10th anniversary of the release of Memoir ’44 (and, of course, the more important 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings!) Days of Wonder has announced a new expansion, Operation Neptune. Continue reading →